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Thursday, November 12, 2015

Exporting is GREAT, as a number of Rotherham firms have already shown.

Taking place this week, Export Week is a dedicated week of activity by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and includes a varied series of events all over the UK, aimed at businesses to either start their export journey or increase their international business.

The week also marks the launch of "Exporting is GREAT" - a unique new five year campaign that will present real-time export opportunities businesses can apply for instantly, in a move to get 100,000 additional companies exporting by 2020.

Exporting is GREAT – part of the world-renowned GREAT campaign – is the Government's most ambitious export campaign to date. For the first time, it will present real-time export opportunities across media outlets and digital channels to businesses – of all sizes, from across sectors and every region of the UK – that they can apply for immediately. The platform has gone live with hundreds of business opportunities, which will be available at www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk. Around 1,000 more will come online each month.

UKTI and partners kicked off a roadshow of events last month in Rotherham when business leaders from Pyronix, Gala Tent and Newburgh Precision encouraged other companies to get involved in exports and explained how international trade was key to driving growth.

Further events are taking place in Barnsley, Doncaster and back in Rotherham, on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Mark Robson, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at the UKTI, said: "As the world becomes ever more globalised and digital, the potential for businesses of all sizes to reach out to new customers and lucrative new markets beyond the UK has never been greater. UKTI will continue to work with customers across the region, including through Exporting is GREAT, to realise this potential.

"While international trade may bring some new challenges and also has some new risks, the benefits always outweigh any of these and I'd encourage every business to look beyond our shores for some really incredible opportunities.

"There is a wealth of support, advice and funding available but the strongest argument for entrepreneurs to break into international trade is simply the benefits it can bring to each business in terms of profitability, competitiveness and resilience."

The free AMP event on November 26 will hear from Sheffield firms: Chimo Holdings - an historic cutlery and giftware maker; Lawson Thinking - a global leadership consultant; and The Floow - a cutting edge vehicle tracking and data company. Each will discuss how they broke into international trade and share their tips with others looking to find growth and success on foreign shores.

Those attending will also receive a free copy of a new guide to international trade called Five Steps To Export, which offers simple advice on identifying new opportunities overseas and how you can find growth on foreign shores.

Robson added: "First-time exporters are critical to the future of Yorkshire and the wider UK economy and the world is hungry for Brand Britain. There really has never been a better time to explore new markets and seek out lucrative new relationships overseas."